The ongoing war in Ukraine has made it incredibly difficult for children to keep up with their studies. Beyond the immediate physical dangers, the war has heightened the need for psychological security. In response, UNESCO has deployed a comprehensive initiative to ensure the physical and psychological safety of educational spaces attended by more than 38,000 students.

Training educators for crisis situations

As a response to the ongoing war, in April 2023 Ukraine's government approved the Concept of Safety for Educational Institutions. UNESCO immediately joined the initiative by launching a large-scale pilot programmeme 'Safe Educational Environment' with the support of Japan and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).

Launched across 12 communities in Zhytomyr and Odesa regions, UNESCO and its trainers have already reached over 7,400 educators. The programme will benefit more than 38,000 children with safer school infrastructure and enhanced psychosocial support. Successful practices from this pilot will be expanded to other regions in Ukraine in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Science.

So what are the steps that a school needs to take to become a 'Safe educational environment'?

Ensuring physical safety of students

Safe infrastructure is essential. Schools need to be equipped with reliable shelters that are accessible for all students. The programme has introduced safety standards for schools, focusing on barrier-free accessibility. Educational facilities have also received necessary materials to meet modern safety requirements.

To achieve this, UNESCO and its partners have identified 32 educational institutions, including kindergartens and schools, that will undergo critical repairs to address infrastructure vulnerabilities. In tandem with these upgrades, new furniture will be provided to enhance the functionality and comfort of learning spaces. Each institution has undergone a detailed inspection and analysis, assessing its technical condition and specific needs to ensure that improvements are tailored. These efforts aim to create environments where children can focus on learning, free from the stress and discomfort of inadequate facilities.

"We must adapt and respond to today's challenges"

Liliya, director of Balta Lyceum No. 2, participant of the programme.

Creating a psychologically safe educational environment

The programme emphasizes not only physical safety but also the psychological well-being of students and staff. Building on existing support structures, it establishes a network to help children, families, teachers, and school psychologists manage emotional resilience. Standards and protocols have been developed to provide easy access to psychosocial support, with more complex cases referred to Inclusive Resource Centers (IRCs), which offer specialized psychological services.

UNESCO also trained "supervisor psychologists" within these Centers, who act as mentors, providing regular support to 100 school psychologists across the two regions. These specialists help ensure complex cases receive dedicated guidance.

To enhance diagnostic capabilities and personalized support for each child, the Centers are now equipped with modern assessment tools for detecting developmental delays and assessing anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.

Training educators for crisis situations

For children, safety includes ability to rely on the adults around them who provide support and stability. When there is an emergency at school, adults need to be able to react quickly, effectively and with confidence, which includes psychological first-aid.

"We must maintain self-control during emergencies because we are responsible for the children's lives. Stabilizing our emotions is a crucial skill"

Svitlana, a chemistry teacher involved in the programme.

During the pilot programme, UNESCO and partners have prepared a comprehensive training, teaching educators to handle emergencies and developing their crisis management skills. During summer of 2024, 110 master-trainers have been trained to create safe educational spaces. They have undergone intense practical training in a specialized maze-room with smoke generators, loudspeakers, and heaters, simulating real conditions faced by first responders. Trainers learned how to use fire extinguishing tools, evacuate victims, and provide first aid.

In September, master trainers have passed this knowledge and skills to over 7400 educators, practical psychologists, and other staff from 244 educational institutions. This hands-on training includes modules on psychological resilience, cybersecurity, and fire safety.

"Practical training is far more effective than lectures"

Оlexander, a training participant, describing how the immersive experience prepares them for real situations.

Ensuring coordination among emergency response teams

Effective safety in schools also relies on clear lines of responsibility among all relevant parties. At the school level, a response team was formed following UNESCO's training. Each staff member has a concrete role and a line of action in case of an emergency.

In some emergency situations at school the State Emergency Service needs to react, - in other police may be needed. To coordinate the work of various relevant departments, government bodies and school officials - a new position at the community level has been established - Specialists in the safety of the educational environment. Their task is to ensure that schools and kindergartens are always ready to handle any crisis.

"Cooperation with the police and emergency services at different levels is essential. This teamwork builds trust and responsibility"

Nadia, director of Balta Lyceum No. 1.

Scaling up towards safe education for all children

Making schools safer is an essential step towards accessible and quality education in Ukraine, despite the ongoing war. With UNESCO's support, Ukrainian educational institutions are better prepared to provide safe, supportive learning environments for every child.

Following the success of the pilot project, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has adopted an Order, approving a Model professional development programme, making UNESCO's safe educational environment methodology usable by any educational institution in Ukraine, as part of their staff's mandatory professional development, or can become a basis for other methodologies.